Jewel Akens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jewel Akens
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jewel Eugene Akens |
| Born | September 12, 1933 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 1, 2013 (aged 79) Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, record producer |
Jewel Eugene Akens (born September 12, 1933 – died March 1, 2013) was an American singer and record producer. He was best known for his hit song "The Birds and the Bees."
Contents
A Look at Jewel Akens' Music Career
Jewel Akens started his music journey by singing with different groups. He recorded songs with a group called The Medallions. He also sang with The Four Dots. Later, he teamed up with singer Eddie Daniels. They formed a duo called "Jewel and Eddie" and released music in 1960.
His Big Hit Song
Jewel Akens later decided to sing on his own. In 1964, he recorded a song called "The Birds and the Bees." This song became very popular! It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. It also sold over one million copies. This earned him a special award called a gold disc.
Touring and Other Songs
After his big hit, Jewel Akens toured a lot. He often performed a tribute to his friend, the famous singer Sam Cooke. Jewel also sang with a group that called themselves The Coasters. However, none of the original members of The Coasters were in this group.
Akens felt that his best songs were his versions of "Little Bitty Pretty One" and "You Better Move On." In the late 1960s, he even toured with The Monkees, another popular music group. He continued making music until the mid-1970s. Later, from 2006 to 2011, he performed more shows with a new group of singers.
Later Life and Passing
Jewel Akens passed away on March 1, 2013, at the age of 79. He died due to problems after a back surgery. He is buried in the Mausoleum of the Golden West in Inglewood Park Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Eddie Mae.
See also
- List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States
